As we face challenging times ahead, let's use this time to reconnect virtually with our colleagues and community. The Office of Community Engagement is putting together some resources and online sessions to help in these times of higher stress and feelings of isolation.
Connect with Community
Resources for Financial Needs
Financial Resources for Resident Impacted by COVID-19:
Link: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/
Comprehensive Needs and Counseling Through the United Way:
Link: https://www.unitedwayla.org/
For Student Financial Assistance
Matacare Emergency Grant (Students):
Link: https://www.csun.edu/
The MataCare Grant exists to help students with unexpected urgent financial needs. The Grant is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. Matriculated CSUN students in good standing can apply for a MataCare Grant up to two times during their career at CSUN. These grants are meant to address urgent one-time needs. Application accepted through December 2.
Steps to Support Yourself During the Pandemic Health Crisis from Suze Orman:
Link: https://deadline.com/2020/04/
Among her helpful suggestions is to write down monthly bills and call each company, asking if you can extend the deadline.
For Community Financial Assistance
Apply for Unemployment Insurance:
Link: https://www.edd.ca.gov/
Resources for Basic Needs
CSUN with a HEART:
Link: https://www.csun.edu/heart
Here you will find valuable information that will connect you to various resources regarding the basic needs of students in the CSUN campus community. All students in the CSUN community are encouraged to explore the following resources and benefit from them. This website is a component of the CSU Basic Needs Initiative, which is to strengthen the welfare of all students inside and outside the classroom.
Food
CSUN Food Pantry (for CSUN Students and Staff):
Link: https://www.csun.edu/mic/csun-
Website with modified hours for the food pantry, as well as appointments for CalFresh Outreach Assistance.
Free Nutrition Counseling:
Flyer: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/image002_7.jpg
Meet with a Registered Dietitian via one-on-one telehealth consults. To set up an appointment, email
. Available now through the end of May.
FISH of West Valley Food Pantry:
Link: https://www.facebook.com/
MEND/Meet Each Need with Dignity (for all Community Members):
Link: https://mendpoverty.org/
Food Box distribution (multiple days/sites each week).
Clothing
MEND/Meet Each Need with Dignity (for all Community Members):
Link: https://mendpoverty.org/
Medical Care
MEND/Meet Each Need with Dignity (for all Community Members):
Link: https://mendpoverty.org/
Resources for Housing and Homelessness
Renter protections, including tenant protection and eviction moratorium information:
Link: https://hcidla.lacity.org/
No one can be evicted during the COVID-19 Crisis. Learn more here.
LA Tenants Union:
LA Tenants Union (in English): https://
LA Tenants Union/Sindicato de Inquilinos de Los Angeles (en español): https://
Mutual Aid Network Los Angeles (English/Español ):
Link: https://www.mutualaidla.org
Streetwatch:
To receive support for unhoused people (in cars, shelters, on the street) who experience harassment by city workers, text (do not call): 323.379.2275
Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority Project Roomkey:
Link: https://www.lahsa.org/
Providing unhoused people with hotel/motel rooms.
List and map handwashing, shower, and hygiene stations throughout LA:
Link: https://www.lahsa.org/
Resources for Undocumented Students and Community Members
CSUN DREAM Center:
Link: https://docs.google.com/
A comprehensive list of resources for people suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on financial, housing, food, and other resources.
California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance:
Link: https://ciyja.org/covid19/
San Fernando UndocuFund:
Link: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/EU8yexNU8AEphci.jpeg
Want help undocumented students? Read more here about how to support the San Fernando UndocuFund.
Resources for Small Businesses
Street Vendor Emergency Fund:
Link: https://www.inclusiveaction.org/covid19response
Created by to provide direct cash assistance to vendors who can not access resources from the government
Small Business Majority COVID-19 Updates for Small Businesses:
Link: https://smallbusinessmajority.org/covid-19-daily-updates-for-small-businesses
LA Area Chamber: Small business, health & safety, education & student resources:
Link: https://lachamber.com/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-resource-guide/
Digital Connectedness for Angelenos (Low Cost Internet):
Link: https://getconnectedlosangeles.lacity.org/
The City of LA, California Emerging Technology Fund and EveryoneOn partner up to help families find low cost internet.
LA County Business and Worker Disaster Help Center:
Link: https://lacountyhelpcenter.org/?utm_content&utm_medium=email&utm_name&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term
A centralized call center and website for free one-on-one counseling and support for business owners and workers impacted by the outbreak.
General Resources:
LA County resources and support for small businesses
List of resources for small businesses, service workers, etc.
LA City Financial Resources for Businesses
Resources for Mental Health
Mental Health
Mitchell Family Counseling Center is offering 4 free virtual counseling sessions to CSUN students. Please see attached flyer, which was recently sent out to the college. Contact: Deborah Buttitta, MFCC Director, if you have questions. deborah.buttitta@
Strength United is offering a 24/7 hotline to students who are experiencing anxiety related to COVID 19 and to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are experiencing additional anxieties at this time. Their hotline numbers are (818) 886-0453/(661) 253-0258.
University Counseling Services (UCS) has now shifted all mental health services to a virtual format; they are providing telemental health services (counseling services – assessment and short-term counseling; psychiatric services – assessment and medication management) remotely via Zoom Health (phone and video). While they have suspended for several weeks our wellness workshops and groups, they intend to resume our workshops and some of our groups via Zoom. As always, they have urgent care/crisis services by phone 24/7 for students at (818) 677-2366, Option 3. They have a link on our UCS homepage with our Update as well as a link to Mental Health Services and Resources for Students during COVID-19 State of Emergency on UCS Services at: www.csun.edu/
Self Care and Stress Relief
Hélène Grimaud Performance Playlist:
Link: https://ums.org/2020/03/14/helene-grimaud-performance-playlist/
In light of Hélène Grimaud’s canceled performance due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve put together a playlist of her exact concert recital program, featuring music from her latest album, Memory, and 2009 recording of Schumann’s Kreisleriana.
Resources for Physical Health
Stay Fit at Home with the SRC's Virtual Classes and Programs!
Link: https://mailchi.mp/d47ce32d58f4/src-members-stay-active-now-with-the-srcs-virtual-programming?e=31578150d0
The SRC is here to keep you moving with even more virtual programming that you can experience from home! Check out their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to get into the zone with weekly at-home workouts, utilize essential fitness tips featured on their webpage, and keep an eye out for more virtual ways to enhance your fitness and wellness.
Sleeping Better During Stay-at-Home:
Link: https://www.fox9.com/video/671893
If you have been experiencing trouble getting a good night's rest, you are not alone. Extra tossing and turning at night may be your body's reaction to heightened stress during the pandemic. University of Minnesota sleep expert Dr. Michael Howell joined the FOX 9 Morning News with tips to ensure a better night of rest.
Resources for Parents
Dodger Reading Champions:
Link: http://www.
To help address the literacy crisis in Los Angeles and get children excited about reading, the Los Angeles Dodgers (LAD) and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) have partnered to launch LA READS, a literacy campaign which includes the “Dodgers Reading Champions” literacy challenge. The goal of “Dodgers Reading Champions” is to motivate youth to read and help them build a lifelong love of reading. The challenge will also incentivize students in grades 1 – 8 who record more than 30 reading minutes per day.
Build O' Clock: Lego Parrot:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duGv4PAXfGU
Do you want to learn how to build a Lego parrot? This fun, easy tutorial walks you through how to do this colorful Lego build step by step.
Read-iatrics: Little Blue Truck Read Aloud:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STDTfSRH8oY
Beep beep! It's story time! In this animated storybook video, watch the Little Blue Truck and all of his friends come to life. The illustrations move with each turn of the page as Dr. Caitlin Robator, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, reads aloud the children's book Little Blue Truck, written by Alice Schertle and illustrated by Jill McElmurry.
Cooking at Home While Social Distancing:
Link: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/lifestyle/cooking-at-home-while-social-distancing
With many restaurants now closed, an expert explains the importance of large scale social distancing and offers an easy recipe with common kitchen ingredients to make at home.
Michelle Obama´s Weekly Story Time:
Link: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/politics/michelle-obama-pbs-read-aloud-series-trnd/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1g4mQkHQBsCuapxfUVZtGZ7R1be86NQkEmc6stklyZx1F5SIV45fvWZMM
Virtual Performing Arts Events
Musicals and Plays
You can see one Shakespeare play each 2 weeks (best plays) from the famous Globe theater.
Link: https://www.youtube.
Related article: https://hellogiggles.
You can watch the best plays for free till May 27th:
Link: https://www.pbs.org/
Related article: https://www.timeout.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals are published Friday 11 am and are available for 48 hours:
Link: https://www.youtube.
Related article: https://www.timeout.
Free Classes
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA):
Link: https://robbreport.com/
The Museum of Modern Art if offering free art courses on Coursera. Click the link to the article to see some of the free course listings and what they will be offering!
Strength United
Parent Coping: A Place to be seen, heard, and connect
A virtual parent support group Funded by CAPIT Program. Learn ways to support your children. Incorporate wellness into daily routines. Share stories with other parents. Offered in English and Spanish.
Beginning the week of April 27th. Specific date and time will be coordinated with participants.
Contact: Strength United 24/7 Hotline 818-886-0453 or 661-253-0258.
See Flyer
NEED HELP WITH YOUR HOMEWORK? Let us help!
Strength United will be offering Virtual Office Hours Via ZOOM. Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. To RSVP or if you have any questions please email
Zoom Link: https://csun.zoom.us/j/855394288
Meeting ID: 855-394-288
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